Retaining wall block

ABSTRACT

A retaining wall block has a base portion and one or more bracing struts integral therewith. As the blocks are stacked, the struts overlap to thereby provided self-support for the wall. The sides of the base portion also have interengaging portions which provide support.

United States Patent [72] Inventor Sugiaki Kusatlke No. 132,llachikeu-cho, NishikitsujLNara Nan Prefecture, Japan i [2|] Appl. No.763,573 [22] Filed Sept. 30, 1968 [45] Patented Aug. 10, 1971 [541RETAINING WALL BLOCK 4 Claims, 52 Drawing Figs.

[52] US. Cl 61/4, 52/570, 52/610, 61/35 [51] lnt.Cl E02b3/12 [50] FieldoISearch 6l/35,37, 39,4,5,47;52/590,593,610,611,570

[56] References Cited UNITED STATES PATENTS 1,460,516 7/1923 Sheenm;52/570 X 1,770,082 7/1930 McPherson 52/570 Primary Examiner-David-JWilliamowsky Assistant Examiner-Philip C. Kannan Attorney-Wenderoth,Lind & Ponack ABSTRACT: A retaining wall block has a base portion andone or more bracing struts integral therewith. As the blocks arestacked, the struts overlap to thereby provided self-support for thewall. The sides of the base portion also have interengaging portionswhich provide support.-

' Patented Au 10, 1911 3,597,925

12 Sheets-Sheet 1 SUGIAKI KUSATAKE,

K I Inventor 3 B .\nmmmwm,

Attorneys Patented Aug. 10, 1971- 12 Sheets-finest B Fig.6.

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IJ/ v 2 SUG IAKI KUSATAKE s r w m n n r e 0 v t n t IMA p l U w PatentedA 10, 1911 3,597,925

12 Sheets-Shat s SUGIAKI KUSATAKE,

Inventor Attorneys wwmmdmf mama Aug. 10, 1911' 3,597,925

12 Sheets-Shoot 4 Fig-15.

SUGIAKI KUSATAKE,

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Patented Aug. 10,1971 3,597,925

12 Sheets-Sheet 5 Fi 9.20. I Fig.2 1.

SUGIAKI KUSATAKE,

Inventor Attorneys Pa atented Aug. 10,

Sheets-Sheet 5 SUGIAKI KUSATAKE,

2 v v Inventor BYJQMMa-MPMA Attorneys Patehted Aug. 10, 1971 12Sheets-Sheet 7 SUGIAKI KUSATAKE,

Inventor B 0mm .iwbpmsd Attorneys Patented Aug. 10, 1971 12 Shasta-Sheet8 SUGIAKI KUSATAKE Inventor Attorneys Patented Aug. 10, 1971 3,597,925

12 Sheets-Sheet 9 SUGIAKI KUSATAKE,

Inventor Attorneys Patented Aug. 10, 1971 3,597,925

12 Sheets-Sheet 10 SUG IAKI KUSATAKE Inventor Attorneys Patented Aug.10, 1971 12 Shuts-Sheet 11 v SUGIAKI KUSATAKE Attorneys Patented Aug.10,1971 v 3,597,925

12 Sheets-Sheet 13 Fig.5 2.

SUGIAKI KUSATAKE Inventor BYAJWMIHLLL Attorneys side view, and FIG. 3 isa plane view of the same.

' FIG. 27 is a front view of .nsrammcwathnnocx The presentinventionzrelates to a block for use in a;re'tainingwall consisting of abase body of a regular square, a rhomb or the like inwhich aregulartetragon isfundar'nental in each shape, and abracing strutintegrated with the base body at the.

. rear face thereof. In the wall formed with-conventional blocks, thelower.

blocks receive a'force laterally fromthe sand pressure or by gravityfrom the upper blocks so that there is risk that the' rows of blocksbecome gradually loose toward both sides.

This disadvantage is overcome when a.retaining wall is I formed frombloclts of the-present invention. It is an object of the presentinvention to provide a block having a bracing strut FIG. 45 is asideview showing the l3th'embodiment, F o.

- 46 being'its front view, FIG. 47; being a plane view of thesame, FIG.48 being a rear view of the same and FIG. 49 is a section .view takenalong the line AA of FIG. 47.

FIG..'50 is a front view showing the 14th embodiment, and

FIG. 51 is a plane view ofthe same.

in'tegralrwith the base bodyand arrangedwto overlap with similar bracingstruts ofotherblocks. Another object of this invention is to preventthelower -blocks from being expandedtowardboth sides by mounting a FIG.52 is a longitudinally sectional side view showing an embodiment ofpiling up of the blocks according'to the present invention;

A blockhaving a fundamental shape according to the .present inventionshown FIGS. 1 to-3'inclusive projects a brac= ing strut '2 meeting atright angles with a diagonalline X of a base body I at the rear face ofthe regularly tetragonal base 'bodyjl, and the rear face of theregularly tetragonal base body 1, and the position of the bracing strut2 is determined such that the centerline Y of the bracing strut is setaside from one end of the diagonal by a quarter of the length of thediagonal of the base body. I. Thebase body I may be a'rhomb having ahorizontal planeportion to the. base body and by receiving the load fromthe-upper portionin'a state that the planeportions of theindividual basebodies ofthe upper andthe lower blocks are overlapped respectively. v

Otherobjects andadv'antages'of this invention will become apparent froma detailed explanation of theembodiments; of

the present .inventiontaken together with the'accompanying drawings.FIG. Us a front view showing a fundamental'shape of the valley-pilingblock .accordingtoithis invention, FIG. 2being its FIG. 4is a front viewshowing the second embodiment ac-v cording-to'the presentinvention,'FIG..Sbeingits-side view and FIG. 6is.a plane view of thesame. v FIG. 7 is a front view showing the third embodiment according tothis invention, FIG. 8 being its side viewgand FIG. 9 is a plane viewofthesarne. I I

- stand by themselves.

difference between ahorizontal diagonal and avertical one,

though it is a regular squarein the drawings shown.

The bracingstrut 2has a length that each end portion of the upper andlower struts 2, contact when the blocks are stacked as-shown in thedotted line of FIG. 1. When the blocks .are

stacked asshown in FIG. 1; the bracing strut 2 of the upper block isplaced on the bracing strut 2 of the lower block, andthe bracing struts2 are vertically and continuously piled up in -a straight line,.sothat-the load from the upper part is supported with the'bracing struts2, and the blocks are able to 'In the second embodiment shown in FIGS.4' to 6 inclusive, the upper and the lowercorners of the base body '1are cutoff horizontally to form planes 3, while on the upper and thelower faces of the-bracing strut 2 are formed convex 4 and concaveportions 5. Since the bracing strut 2 is set to one side of the" basebody, the blocks of the second embodiment are FIG. l.0.i s. afront-viewshowing the fourthernbodimentaccording-to this invention, FIG.llbei'ngitssideview,'FIG. 12

being a rear view of the same, and FIG. 13 is a plane view thereof. Y

FIG. 14 is a front view of theendblockformed in a shape of anequilateral triangle having the plane base, and other parts .are similarto those of the fourth embodiment, and FlG. 15 is its sideview.

FIG. 16 is a'front view showing the combination method of the blocksshown in .said fourth embodiment, FIG. 17 being its side view, and FIG.I8 is a planeview of the'same.

FIG. 19 is a frontview showing the fifth embodiment of the presentinvention, and FIG.20 is its plan view. v

piled in a manner similar to that shown in'FIG. 1. However,

planes'3 of the upper and the lower base bodies 1 contact in piling, andthe convex portion 4 and the concave portion 5 of the upper and thelower bracing struts 2 are fitted respectively, so that the load issupported by the planes and the upper and lower struts. Also, sidewaysand front to back displacement'of the blocks is prevented by the fittingof the convey FIG; 21 is a front view showing thesixth embodiment ofthis invention, FIG. 22-being itsside view, and FIG. 23 isa plane viewof the same.

FIG. 24 is a front viewof the seventh embodiment according tothisinvention, FIG. 25-being .its side view, and FIG. 26 is a planeview.

the eighth'emboditnent of this invention,FIG. '28 being its side view,and FIG. 29 is a plane view of the same. I I

FlG..30 is-a frontview of the upper or the lower terminal blockadaptable to the block shown in the eighth embodiment,

and FIG. Slisits'side view.

FIG. 32=is a front view of the ninth embodiment, and FIG.

33 is its side view.

7 FIG. 34 is a front view showing the 10th embodiment, FIG. ,35 beingits side view andFIG. 36 isaplane view of the'same.

' FIG. 37 is a front view showing the'l lth embodiment, FIG.

.38 being its side viewand FIG..39 is a' plane view. .FIG.-40 is a frontview showingthe l2th:embodiinent-, FIG. i 41 being its side view, and-FIG..42 is a plane viewof the same.

FIG. 43'is-a front view of the upper. or the lower; terminal block.adaptable.to the" block shown in the l 2th-embodiment,

and FIG. 44 is a side view of the same.

portion 4 and the concave portion 5.

- In the third embodiment shown in FIGS. 7 to 9 inclusive are formed:respectively grooves 6, which reach from the upper end of both upperoblique sides of the base .body I-to their middle parts, and projectingportions 7, which reach from their middleparts to their lower parts, andthe border between the groove 6 and the projecting portion 7 ismade tobea horizontal plane 8.

similarly to that in the previous example and the blocks are stacked. Inthis case, however, .theblock wall is constructed in such manner thatthe grooves 6 and the projecting portions 7 which-are formed at theupper oblique sides of the lower base .body I are fitted to theprojecting portion 10 and the grooves 9 which are formed at the loweroblique sides of the upper base body I, and that the planes 8, 11 alsocontact, respectively contact of the overlapped bracing struts, and ofthe planes 8, I I respectively as described above, so that there neveroccurs a force expanding the blocks laterally. And then in this case,

' by engaging the grooves 6, 9 with the projecting portions),

7, each base body I can be prevented fromfront to back dis placement.

The load from the upper part is received by means of the Between theupper and the lower bracing struts is formed a communicating path by thegrooves 19, which can be utilized as a water-discharging hole or to pourconcrete for reinforcement.

In the fourth embodiment shown in FIGS. to 13 inclusive, both upperoblique sides of the base body 1 have slowly sloped front incliningplanes 12 against a horizontal plane and steeply sloped rear incliningplanes l3, and the upper end of the base body 1 is cut off horizontallyto form a plane 14.

Also, both lower oblique sides of the base body I have slowly slopedfront inclining planes against a horizontal plane and steeply slopedrear inclining planes l6, and the lower end of the base body 1 is cutoff horizontally to form a plane 17 and both lateral ends of the basebody 1 are cut off vertically to form planes 18.

The intersection of planes 12 is in the same plane as plane 14, theintersection of planes 15 is in the same plane as plane 17, and theintersection of planes 13 and 16 are in the same planes as planes 18.

And in this case, are also formed similarly to those in the thirdembodiment grooves 19 at the upper and the lower parts of the bracingstrut 2. Further, at the side face of the end portion of the bracingstrut 2 is formed a protrusion 20.

Stacking of these blocks is carried out similarly to those in the otherexamples, and the bracing struts 2 are over lapped as shown in FIGS. 16to 18. Then, the base body 1 is prevented from front to backdisplacement by each contact of the upper front inclining plane 12 andthe upper rear inclining plane 13 of the lower base body 1 with thelower rear inclining plane 16 and the lower front inclining plane 15 ofthe upper base body 1, and the blocks are also prevented from lateralmovement by contact of the right and the left planes 18.

The effect of the upper and the lower grooves 19 of the bracing strut 2in this embodiment is also similar to that in the third embodiment. But,the effect of the protrusion is to reinforce the connection of thebracing strut 2 and concrete or gravel poured into the rear side of eachbase body 1.

FIGS. 14 and 15 show an end block, of which both upper oblique sides aresimilar to those of the base body 1 shown in FIGS. l0l3, and the bracingstrut 2 is similar, so that its explanation is omitted. However, thelower side forms a bottom level 21 extending over the whole length, andboth side planes are extended downwards from the planes 18 and meet atright angles with the bottom level 21. This block can be used at thelowermost part of the wall formed with the blocks if its bottom level 21is placed downwardly while it can be used at the uppennost part of thewall if its bottom level 2] is placed upwardly.

The block of FIGS. 10-13 may be modified in a manner similar to thatdescribed above from a side block or a cover block. Also, the blocks ofthe first, second and third embodiments may be similarly modified toform end, side or cover blocks.

In the fifth embodiment shown in FIGS. 19 and 20, the base body 1 issimilar to the fundamental shape of FIGS. 1 to 3 inelusive, but theshape of the bracing strut 2 is different.

Namely, in this case, a pair of bracing struts 2 is formed in aprojecting state to the rear face of the base body 1, and the ends ofsaid both bracing struts are connected with a connecting portion 22. Thedistance between the centerlines Y of these bracing struts 2 is a halfof the length L of the diagonal line X of the base body 1, but thesebracing struts may be used without the connecting portion 22.

In the stacking of the blocks shown in this embodiment, the bracingstruts 2 at the rear face of each base body 1 overlap, Since on theright and the left bracing struts 2 of the lower base body 1 are placedthe bracing struts 2 corresponding to the upper right and left basebodies 1, each base body I can stand alone stably with a pair of thebracing struts 2. Between the right and the left bracing struts 2 ispoured concrete or the like for connecting the blocks, so that each basebody I is extremely strongly connected.

The sixth embodiment as shown in FIGS. 21 to 23 inclusive is a modifiedform of the fifth embodiment.

In said sixth embodiment, the upper and the lower corners are cuthorizontally to form planes 23 and at the upper and the lower faces ofthe bracing struts 2 are formed a convex portion 24 and a concaveportion 25.

By the contact of the upper and the lower planes 23, the lower basebodies 1 are prevented from lateral movement, owing to the load from theupper part, and by means of the bracing struts, the blocks are supportedstably. Further, by fitting of the convex portion 24 and the concaveportion 25 of the upper and the lower bracing struts each block isprevented from the side to side or front to back displacement.

In the seventh embodiment shown in FIGS. 24 to 26 inclusive, a pair ofbracing struts is mounted in a projecting state to the rear face of thebase body I, but the end portions of the bracing struts 2 are notconnected.

The base body 1 in this embodiment is similar in shape to that of thebase body 1 of the third embodiment, and its effect is entirely similar.Therefore, its illustration is omitted. Also, the bracing struts 2 havegrooves 19 similarly to that of the third embodiment. The effect of thebracing struts 2 in the seventh embodiment are entirely similar to thoseof the sixth embodiment.

In the eighth embodiment shown in FIGS. 27 to 29 inclusive, the shape ofthe base body 1 is entirely similar to that in the fourth embodimentshown in FIGS. 10 to 13 inclusive, and its effect is also the same one,so that its explanation is omitted.

Then, in the eighth embodiment the bracing struts 2 are connected withthe connecting portion 22 similarly to that of the fifth embodiment, andat the upper and the lower parts of the root of the bracing struts 2 areformed grooves 19.

FIGS. 30 and 21 show the block of the eighth embodiment formed as anupper or a lower end block, and is used in forming the wall with theblocks of the eighth embodiment. Therefore the shape of the base body 1is similar to that in FIGS. 14 and 15 and the bracing strut 2 is similarto that in the eighth embodiment, so that their explanation is omitted.

In the ninth embodiment shown in FIGS. 32 and 33, the shape of the basebody I is different from the other examples.

The fundamental shape of the base body 1 is a regular tetragon and isthus similar to the other examples, but the front half of the upper andthe lower corners of the base body 1 are cut off horizontally to formplanes 26, while to the rear half of the upper and the lower comers ofthe base body 1 are cut off horizontally to form planes 26, while to therear half of the upper and the lower corners are formed square convexportions 27 having the same widths as planes 26. Also, the rear half ofthe right and the left corners of the base body 1 are cut off verticallyto form planes 28, while to the front half are formed square convexportions 29 having the same widths as the planes 28.

When these blocks are stacked the convex portion 29 of the other basebody I overlaps the convex 27 portion, the plane 26 is in contact withthe upper and the lower faces of the convex portion 29, and the plane 28and both side faces of the convex portion 27 overlap, thereby the lowerbase body 1 is prevented from side to side movement owing to the loadfrom the upper block, and by engagement of the convex portions 27, 29,the base body 1 is prevented from the front to back displacement.

Also, a base body having no bracing strut was shown in FIGS. 32 and 33,but it can be modified by mounting the same bracing strut as that in theother examples.

In the l0th embodiment shown FIGS. 34 to 36 inclusive, the upper and thelower corners of the body 1 are cut off to form planes 30, to the rightand the left corners of the base body I are formed square convexportions 31, and the bracing strut 2 at the rear face of the base body Ihas the grooves 19 and the projecting portion 20 similar to those of thefourth embodiment.

When these blocks are stacked, convex portions 31 are positioned betweenplanes 30 of upper and lower blocks. Thereby the lead from the upperblock is received, and the lower base body 1 is prevented from beingexpanded laterally -and loosened.

In the llthembodiment show figs. 37 to 39 inclusive, the shape of thebase body I is different from the other examples and the shape of thebracing strut 2 is the same as the bracing strut 2 inthe l0th example.v

Namely, the front half of the base body 1 in said 1 lth example is of arhomb consisting of the upper right and left front inclining planes 32and the lower right and left front inclining planes 33, both sidecorners are cutoff to form vertical planes form a plane 37. Also, thelower end of lower rear inclining planes 36 protrudes beyond theinclining planes 33 is cut off horizontally to form a plane 38.

To the right and the left comers of the base body I formed with theupper and the lower rear inclining planes 35 and 36 are formed in aprojecting state square convex portions 39 having their outer end planesformed to be identical with planes 34.

, Since the front face of the base body 1 is of similar shape to that ofthe base body I in the fourth embodiment shown in FIGS. to 13 inclusive,the stacked blocks overlap as in the fourth embodiment. Since the rearface of the base body 1 is Y of the same shape as that of the lOthembodiment show 34 to ment shown in FIGS. 37 to 39 as in the eighthembodiment shown in FIGS. 27 to 29. .The effects obtained are similar tothese embodiments so that their detailed explanation is omitted.

The block shown in FIGS. 43 and 44 is an end block which is formed fromthe block of the l lth embodiment. Therefore,

the upper half shape of this base body I is similar to the upper half ofthe base body 1 in the l lth embodiment, and its lower part is similarto the base body of the other upper or lower end blocks. Also, thebracing strut 2 is similar to that in the l lth embodiment, and if thebracing strut 2, is modified in the l2th embodiment, it can be used withthe block of the lZth embodiment. I

The 13th embodiment shown in FIGS. 45 to 49 inclusive is constructed insuch manner that to both upper oblique sides of the base body 1 areformed grooves 40,'which reach from the upper ends to their intermediateparts and projecting parts 41, which reach from the intermediate to thelower parts, and the border between the groove 40 and the projectingpart 41 is made to'be horizontal plane 42'.

To both lower oblique sides of the base body I are also formed grooves42, which reach from the lower ends to the intermediate ends andprojecting portions 43 which reach from the intermediate to the upperparts and between the groove 42 and the projecting portion is formed ahorizontal plane 44.

Further, the upper and the lower corners of the base body 1 are slightlycut off to form planes 45, and the right and the left comers formed withthe projecting portions 41, 43 are vertically cut to form planes 46.

The bracing strut 2 is mounted at the center of the rear face of thebase body 1 differently from the other embodiments,

and a projecting wall 47 isformed to be L shape from the end The blocksin this example are stacked in such a manner that the grooves 40, 42 ofthe base body lare fitted to the projecting portions 43, 41, while thebracing struts 2 are piled up in such manner that the projecting walls47 of the bracing 1 struts 2 of the upper and the lower blocksareplaced'in the opposite'direction to overlap the end portions of theupper and the lower projecting walls 47. Thereby the blocks are firmlypiled up without lateral loosening of the blocks by supporting the loadfrom the upper part by means of the planes 42 and 44 and the projectingwalls 47.

In the l4th embodiment of FIGS. 50 and 51, the bracing struts 2 areentirely similar to those of the l3th embodiment and the base body I isalso almost similar to that the 13th embodiment, and to each obliquesides are mounted the grooves 40, 42 and the projecting portions 4] 43.These are, however, short and do not reach the intermediate parts of theoblique sides, Therefore, the two spaced horizontal planes 42' 44 areeach formed between the grooves and the projecting portions shown inFIG. 50. But, the effects owing to overlapping of the bracing struts 2and fitting of the grooves and the projecting portions are completelysimilar to those in the l3th embodiment.

FIG. 52 shows an embodiment of the stacking of method using blocksaccording to the present invention. In the example shown in the drawinga groove 50 which reaches over the whole periphery is made at the outerperiphery of the base body 1 of the block, and when the blocks are piledup, the grooves 50 located at the upper and the lower sides and at theright and the left sides are opposite to one another to form holes, intowhich some filling material, such as a mortar, an adhesive or abraidlike filler is filled to form a waterproof wall. Such groove 50 canbe formed in each embodiment of the present invention illustratedhitherto, but in some embodiments the waterproof filler can be filled byusing shoulders at the outside of the base body 1 without forming thegroove 50.

Further in the example of FIG. 52 it is shown that a reinforced iron 52projects from the rear end of the bracing strut 2. In stacking theblocks in this case, the upper and the lower parts of the reinforcedirons 52 of the bracing struts 2 over lapped up and down are connectedthat they are bound by a wire 53 or by welding.

Thus, even by connecting the upper and the lower reinforced irons 52,such connecting of the upper and the lower blocks is strengthened, andmoreover when the reinforced irons 52 are covered with a concrete layer54'and the rear faces of the bracing strut 2 are connected as shown inFIG. 52, the wall made up with the blocks can be excessivelystrengthened by permitting the bracing struts of the blocks piled up anddown to be integrated as a post by means of the reinforced irons 52 andthe concrete layer 54. Thus, protrusion of thereinforced iron toward therear face of the bracing strut 2 can be used in all other embodiments.

Also the blocks of each embodiment can be manufactured with reinforcedconcrete.

Since the blocks according to the present invention can stand alone byreceiving the load from the upper part through overlapping of thebracing struts 2 formed at the rear face of the base body as mentionedabove, it is easy to stack the blocks and a stable wall is constructed.The lower base bodies are prevented from lateral displacement due to theload from the upper part by forming horizontal planes at suitablepositions of the base body, so that the blocks never loosen. Thus, theblocks are self-supporting, so that if pebbles, concrete or the like arepoured into the space fonned between the bracing struts 2 of each block,an exceedingly firm wall can be formed.

Whatl claim is; l. A block consisting of a base body having the form ofa polygon with two opposite corners thereof cut off to form planesparallel to a diagonal line between two other opposite comers, and abracing strut integral with said base body and having a centerline, saidcenterline intersecting said diagonal line at right angles at a pointwhich is spaced one-quarter of the length of said diagonal line from oneend thereof.

2. A block as claimed in claim 1, wherein said bracing strut has upperand lower faces generally parallel with said planes, and each of saidfaces has a concave portion and a convex portion therein.

3. A block as claimed in claim 1, wherein said base body has at said twoother opposite corners square convex portions, and wherein said bracingstrut has upper and lower faces, each of said faces having groovestherein, and a vertical projecting portion.

1. A block consisting of a base body having the form of a polygon withtwo opposite corners thereof cut off to form planes parallel to adiagonal line between two other opposite corners, and a bracing strutintegral with said base body and having a centerline, said centerlineintersecting said diagonal line at right angles at a point which isspaced one-quarter of the length of said diagonal line from one endthereof.
 2. A block as claimed in claim 1, wherein said bracing struthas upper and lower faces generally parallel with said planes, and eachof said faces has a concave portion and a convex portion therein.
 3. Ablock as claimed in claim 1, wherein said base body has at said twoother opposite corners square convex portions, and wherein said bracingstrut has upper and lower faces, each of said faces having groovestherein, and a vertical projecting portion.
 4. A block as claimed inclaim 3, wherein said base body further comprises a section on the sideof said base body opposite said bracing strut, said section in the formof a polygon with opposite surfaces thereof in the same planes as theends of said square convex portions and with opposite corners thereof insaid planes of said two opposite corners of said base body.